Israeli actress openly condemns Palestine occupation on Live telecast

Tel Aviv: Veteran Israeli actress Chelli Goldenberg has openly criticised Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and its treatment of Palestinians during a live television interview, only realising that her remarks had been broadcast after presenters alerted her, according to Siasat.

Appearing on Channel 13’s morning programme on October 26, 2026, Goldenberg initially discussed her acting career before the conversation turned to her national identity and political views. She admitted that she no longer felt proud of being Israeli, while making clear that she remained deeply attached to the country.

The actress, born in 1954, blamed the occupation that followed the 1967 Six-Day War for the developments that have shaped Israeli society and the present conflict. She said her generation took nearly a decade to recognise the consequences of the occupation. She also criticised the growing influence of religion, settlement expansion, alleged Jewish terrorism and what she described as arrogance within Israeli society.

Goldenberg further questioned the consequences of Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, arguing that subsequent developments were connected to the wider history of occupation.

The exchange became particularly contentious when she discovered that the discussion was being broadcast live. Believing the conversation was taking place during an advertising break, she confronted the presenters for failing to inform her that the programme had returned on air and announced that she was leaving.

She later returned to apologise to viewers, explaining that she had spoken passionately without knowing the cameras were rolling.

The video has since circulated widely on social media, drawing attention to her criticism of Israeli policies amid the continuing war on Gaza and wider regional tensions.